Done with When Life Gives You Tangerines already? I get it. It’s hard to stop once you tune in. Before I started with it, I thought it couldn’t be better than Hotel Del Lena, or you know, My Mister. IU’s parts were brilliant, and storylines perfectly honored her skills. But to my surprise, When Life Gives You Tangerines turns out to be what those two could not be. Anyway, I am not here to talk about this one; you should know about more IU kdramas if you’re newly introduced to her.
Disclaimer: She is brilliant. So, set yourself for another celebrity obsession.
Now, with that out of the way, shall we begin?
Here’s the Best IU Kdramas I Love
My Mister
On IMDB, My Mister is rated 9.0. But that’s not why I am recommending this.
It’s the beauty of the show that makes me want to tell you about it. There are two perspectives: one of a man in his 40s and another of a woman (IU) in her 20s. Both are hurt, trying their best, but facing too many challenges.
The man, or Park Dong-hoon, as the drama introduces him, is just trying to keep his head above water. Life’s heavy for him—work sucks, family’s messy, and he’s quietly drowning in it all.
Then there’s IU as Lee Ji-an. It looks like the world has crushed her soul. IU managed to display the raw pain through her acting; it’s beautiful, and at the same time, it squeezes your heart.
She’s broke, caring for her sick grandma, and tangled in some dark stuff.
Before they know it, Lee Ji-an and Park Dong-hoon cross each other’s paths. Their pain is what connects them, the sympathy for each other, the feeling of finally belonging.
What I find poetic about My Mister is, it’s not loud or flashy, but the way it heals you?
Damn, it’s everything.
Go in with some love and patience, and let the story unfold. You will find a journey that is touching, and some parts of it, a little close to home.
If it fits your taste, it will fit so well that it might become one of IU’s kdramas you never let go of.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
When I was drafting this list of IU’s kdramas, Moon Lovers stood at an 8.6 rating on IMDB.
Made sense, to be very honest. If you love mysticism, magic, and romance, this is a wild ride on any IU drama list.
IU’s Hae Soo is zapped back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Ironically, it is in a palace packed with princes.
They’re all hot messes—especially Wang So, the damaged, brooding one she falls for. (Yeah, that ‘I could fix him’ kinda plot- but in ancient times).
But beyond that, the plot’s packed with power plays and heartbreak, but her journey through it? That’s the magic. If you’re hunting for K-dramas of IU that leave a mark, this one’s chaotic beauty will stick with you.
Hotel Del Luna
I started watching Kdramas after I gave Hotel Del Luna a shot.
Personally, even though Moon Lovers is rated higher on IMDB, I love Hotel Del Luna more. The drama follows a beautiful plot that smoothly mixes magical elements with romance. It doesn’t have a story revolving around love, but love is just a part of it that develops under the circumstances.
That’s the beauty of it. The story is about IU’s cursed character, Jang Man-wol, who is forced to manage a hotel for spirits.
She’s been cursed there for ages, all sharp edges and sass, but deep down, she’s so damn lonely.
Then, this regular guy, Gu Chan-sung, steps in to manage the place, and the vibes shift.
Some moments, very few of them, could be scary. A couple of ghosts have scary makeups, so that’s a warning for you.
But if you love dramas where stories are mysterious, it’s a standout in any IU drama list, haunting and gorgeous.
THE Producers
Alright, The Producers is a lighter pick in this list of IU K-dramas. But I picked it, again, because I loved it.
IU’s Cindy, this pop idol who’s got the spotlight but no control. She’s icy on the surface, all diva energy, but underneath? She just wants something real.
The show’s about this wild TV crew—newbies fumbling, pros stressing—and she’s the spark in the chaos. The plot’s a fun tangle of backstage drama and sneaky feels, but her quiet ache ties it together. It’s a chill, playful entry in the K-dramas of IU, and she makes it pop.
Watch it, you will have a good time for sure.
So, there you have it all!
Now that When Life Gives You Tangerines is over, use this list and explore what exists beyond in the world of the Best IU K-dramas.
I have watched each one of them, so there’s no doubt you’re gonna have fun.
Pick one, tune in, and get ready to experience the world of love, laughter, and loss.
Anyway, want more recs or curious about new kdramas?
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